47 samples test negative for coronavirus

Panaji: Forty-seven samples have tested negative for the coronavirus (COVID-19), giving relief to the health authorities and people of Goa. The samples were tested at the newly set up virology laboratory at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim.

Of the 58 samples, 47 tested negative while reports of the remaining 11 samples are still awaited. Twelve persons suspected of having COVID-19 are currently in the isolation ward of the GMC. These 12 patients include four fresh suspected cases of COVID-19 that were reported in the state on Wednesday.

Till date, Goa has seen 129 suspected cases of the viral virus. The state has so far seen seven confirmed cases of COVID-19. All seven COVID patients are currently treated at the ESI Hospital in Margao, which is designated for treating COVID-19 patients.

The COVID-19 patients are reported to be ‘stable’ and recovering from the disease.Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that a man died in the GMC on Wednesday. He, however, claimed that the deceased had tested negative for COVID-19. “The deceased had returned to Goa from America on March 22, and on March 26 he was admitted to the GMC after he complained of fever and sore throat. Soon after his admission in the hospital, tests were conducted and the results were found to be negative for COVID-19. Thereafter he was discharged. However, he was readmitted on April 3 with co-morbid conditions,” Sawant said.

The deceased was tested thrice in the GMC and his samples were also sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune. All the four test reports had said the man tested negative for COVID-19. “I have been told that the man died due to some other illnesses, including acute respiratory distress syndrome which is a type of respiratory failure,” Sawant explained.

As per the media bulletin issued on Wednesday by the directorate of health services, 47 more people were placed under home quarantine; around 1327 people have isolated themselves in their homes in the state. At present, one person each has been quarantined at the sub-district hospital in Ponda and at the sub-district hospital, Chicalim, nine persons have been quarantined at the Margao Residency and three people at the Old Goa Residency.